PSG Announces Laurent Blanc as new Coach

PSG ended weeks of speculation over who would succeed Carlo Ancelotti on Tuesday (June 25) when the Ligue 1 champions appointed Laurent Blanc as their new coach on a two-year deal.

The 47-year-old Blanc, who left his job as France coach after their Euro 2012 quarter-final exit, had previously led Girondins Bordeaux to the French title in 2009.

"Paris St Germain is delighted to announce the appointment of Laurent Blanc as coach for the next two years," PSG said in a statement.

Blanc would start work on Monday for "the start of the pre-season training", the club added.

The former France international sweeper replaces Ancelotti, who said last month he wanted to leave the club after leading them to their first French title since 1994, with the Italian agreeing to join Real Madrid on Tuesday.

Blanc, who had playing spells at Montpellier, Marseille and Manchester United, and was part of France's World Cup-winning squad in 1998, was not PSG's first choice, if media reports are to be believed.